Presidential powers reduced in Kazakhstan

By Aliia Raimbekova

ASTANA, Kazakhstan

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev signed Friday a bill that transfers some of the president’s powers to the parliament and cabinet.

The "Law on Amendments and Additions to the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan" will come into force once it is published in the country’s Official Gazette, the presidency said in a statement.

The 23-article bill was passed on March 6 nearly unanimously by the parliament, with just one of the 105 lawmakers failing to vote in favor.

Addressing the parliament on March 4, Nazarbayev, 76, said the preparation of the draft had been "open and transparent”.

He said the amendments “significantly strengthen” the parliament’s role, including in the selection of ministers, and would make efforts towards economic and political modernization “more effective”.

Kazakhstan is an exporter of oil and metals and the only former Soviet republic that is still run by its communist-era leader.

Under the current current constitution, the president appoints the Cabinet. His Nur Otan party dominates the parliament.